Sue Fleischl

Are you cooking the Christmas feast this year?

We are the proud owners of a brand-new Kamado Joe barbecue that has been sitting outside unused as we are both so busy. But I do have plans to cook the Christmas turkey in there and invite some of our closest friends for a late lunch. We usually have more people than we originally plan for!

Fruit cake’s not for everyone. What are your thoughts – is there better Christmas baking? I love to have a light Christmas cake rather than a dense one as I am not really a fruit cake fan. At Christmas, I prefer to go down the meringue, cream and fruit route. Easy to do in advance, travels well and easy to dress up or down.

Have you already bought your presents or will you be tearing around on Christmas Eve? Tearing around frantically like usual the week before Christmas! Does your family buy gifts for everyone or do you have some sort of system?

We usually do a Secret Santa with a spend limit. Far more fun and far less pressure.

What’s the best and worst present you ever received? A heartfelt handwritten card is one of the best presents ever. Worst? Golf clubs.

What’s your favourite childhood Christmas memory?

Early Christmas morning sitting around the tree in our dressing gowns and eating Christmas mince pies while opening presents.

What’s the best thing about Christmas for you?

Sharing with family and friends. Will you be making any

New Year’s resolutions?

I have given up – I never keep them!

‘A heartfelt handwritten card is one of the best presents ever’

The Great Kiwi Bake Off, TVNZ 2, Tuesdays at 7.30pm.